Developed in cooperation with the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, Raphael will offer a fresh look at the Renaissance master’s thought and composition method, based on an exploration of his entire career: from the early Umbrian period (up to 1504) to the years in Florence (1504/1505–1508) and finally to his time in Rome (1508/1509–1520).

Raphael is based on the Albertina’s own significant holdings by the artist, accompanied by exceptional loans of famous works from prominent institutions such as Florence’s Uffizi Gallery, London’s Royal Collection and National Gallery, Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum, the Louvre Museum in Paris and the Vatican Museums.

About Raphael

Alongside Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, Raphael completes the Renaissance’s great artistic triumvirate. What’s more, his world-famous drawings make this prematurely deceased master one of art history’s great draughtsmen, as well.

This autumn, the Albertina is paying homage to Raphael with a major presentation of 150 paintings and drawings that has been developed in cooperation with the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, England.

Starting from the Albertina’s own significant holdings and rounded out by the most beautiful and important drawings from prominent museums such as the Uffizi, the Royal Collection of the British Royal Family, the British Museum, the Louvre, the Vatican Museums, and the Ashmolean Museum, this monographic presentation places Raphael’s thinking and mode of conception front and centre: the featured works range from initial spontaneous artist’s impressions to virtuosic detailed studies and compositional studies and on to completed paintings.

As a painter and architect who worked in Florence and Rome and for popes and princes, Raphael was a true universal genius of the High Renaissance who constantly sought to strike a balance between naturalist imitation and idealisation.

This exhibition shows around 170 drawings and paintings that serve to represent all of the artist’s important projects: from hisearly Umbrian period (up to 1504) to his years in Florence (1504/1505–1508) and on to his timein Rome (1508/1509–1520), the impressive selection covers Raphael’s entire artistic career.

But the Albertina will be focusing not just on Raphael this autumn; simultaneously, another

large exhibition will feature one of the greatest 16th -century Dutch artists: Pieter Bruegel.

An exhibition of The Albertina Museum, Vienna in cooperation with the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford.